New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-13
BALZAC IN ENGLISH.
TIE STORY OF THE COUNTRY DOCTOR.


,;cs ted against this great writer by Sainte
Beuve and others who have followed his lines OF in
x,roretatiop, IL Is significant that THIS BOOK was
uue of Balzac's f,yortes. II is significant because
the work Is characterized by none of the qualities
which il has been customary to attribute to his
fiction and which do. in fact.appear in much OF It,
The Csaptry Doctor " ia not a novel in the ordi-
nary sense of the term 1t Is rather prose poem,
aud one of tho most beautiful, captivating and
eunoblng in any literature Balzac himself said OF
THAT it was picture of the Gospel in action, ana
the definition is keen and suceinct. 1t Is indeea
story of the nobest and most practical phlan
thropy 90 enriched by philosophy, SO broaaened ny
profound economic analysis, so full Of deep susges
ton and piercing criticism of social problems that
II MIGHT csustitnte a ssstesman's text book ana
convev useful IDEAS to the most experienced admin
istratorS The narrative of Dr. Benassis. his simple
vet telling description of the methods by which ne
created fiourishing district aud populous ana
uro.perous town out of an aid waste and q stag
naut and benighted hamlet, is unique both in man
ner and matter. The devotion of the country doctor
10 the community whose interests he had taken IN
charge ia indeed touching and beautiful, but such
instances are not wholly unfamiliar. What gives
this story its charm and distinction Is the art of the
writer in developing before us, by the simplest and
least obtrusive MEANS of those really majestic
characters whose lives men follow with never-fsil-
ing interest and whose biographies constitute the
most fascinating literature since they illustrate
and stimulate the higher potentalties latent In
every human breast. Dr. Renassis Is not q common
man, but great He has in him the capaeili-
ties Of the statesman. the deep perceptlon' the
broad view the power of collocation and associa-
ton which seem to belong only to minds of the
highest executive capacity. He is a man who in
other circumstances might have eclpsed Colbert,
a Richelieu OF a Carnot; and he added to the brill
liant admin strative talents of successful Minister
uuallfc atoms for his work which few Ministers
have possessed
To obtain the confidence Of these superstitious,
bic,ted oplnionated peasants was task to have
baffled most men, but Benassis accomplished it.
Nothing in his proceedings is more interesting than
his constant utilization OF the peasant greed to lead
these sordid folks up 70 higher plane of life He
does not indeed do evil that good may come. lie
merely shows those whom he would benefit that
self-interest beckons them on in the paths he ipd
Gates His policy throughout is perfectly sane and
pracsical. He chershes no sentimental Illusions
He does not look for gratitude from those whom he
assists though in the end he Is rewarded bv it, He
does not weaken the moral ibre of the poor by
almsgiving. He charges them nothing for his min
istrations physician. but in all else he so orders
things that industry and perseverance, are the In
dispensabe conditions of success. When he has
given an energetic young man the opportunity to
found brick making business be looks on and al
lows the man to toll and struggle painfully for a
year, ana only comes forward to help MIN with
money when he sees that the courage aud appica-
ton of the neophyte offer guarantees for the wise
employment of the capital So it Is with all the
industries he introduces. he finds markets for the
products of them and points out the best methods
of securing the largest proht But the men them
selves are left to do the work and are thus Taught
to depend upon their own exertions and to acquire
habits of diligent labor and sturdy thrift. Some
times it is necessary for the doctor begin new
undertaking himself, in the making of the first
public road The people must in such case learn
by actual experiment the value of the new means of
communication therefore he constructs part of it at
his ow n expense. But as as the peasants real
ize the impOrtance of the he leaves the compile
tou of il to them and thenceforth it is unnecessary
for him to persuasion in bringing them 10 see
the value of other means of access fresh markets.
So perfectly sober and matttr-of-fact are all the
good doctors plans and devices to Convey the i'm
preston that thus and not otherwise could the deve
opmept of the village and district have been
brought about; and that the whole enterprise,
however much out of the common run. is quite
practicable. given man of this supreme executive
force and extraordinary tact and Judgment.
that Balzac has described in The Country Doctor,
and the participation of the curate aud the Judge in
the work typiiy the cooperation of tie church and
the law with medicine in the moulding of society.
The deeper thoughts of the author, also those
predictions which pat him out OF sympathy with
the dominant spirit Of the time, shown forth in
the remarkable conversation which takes place at
the dinner-table of Dr. Benasss. Balzac distrusted
the democratic movement, au1 the reaction of his
mind against the Revolution naturally carried HIM
far howard the other extreme. Nevertheless his
defence Of strong governments is too able not to be
admired even by those who reject his conclusions.
1t must be admitted that some of his prognostica-
tions have been verified closely than is agree
sbe while others of his observations upon the
sults of the popular system of government are so
entirely applicable to tho existing situatIon, not
only in France but elsewhere. that they might have
been written yesterday.
It is conspicuous proof Of the power of Balzac
that discussions foreign in their char to the
chief of fiction, and little attractive to the
mary reader, when presented by him iu-
vested with positive interest which relieves them
of all ncongruity and dulness. One reason of this
undoubtedly is the vivid realism of the writer. In
his hands DR.. Benassis becomes an historical per-
sousge and We read of his doings ard follow his
layings with all the active interest which is awak-
ened by perusal of the life Of some celebrated
pbianthropist. SO completely did this great artist
infnse into his characters the strong vitality with
which he himself endowed that we forget their
artificial origin and take his inv ention fer biogra
ply. No doubt this result 10 aided by the versinli
tude Of the surroundings Nothing can be more
real than tho people among whom DR.. Benassis
lal ors than tho scenery amid which he daily rides
ON his professional and benevolent missions 1t has
been said that Balzae had no feeling for nature
The absurdity of such criticism must be apparent
to AL whs know his works, but scarcely anywhere
- 1t more strongly refuted than in " The Country
Doctor HIS descriptions charming sympa-
shesie. deicate exact He brings into relief every
heaaty OF the landscape. He fingers With loving
fondness over the lovely solar and atmospheric
sfia nroduccd ~ the eh ming hnnrs fhs